Which amp for B&W?

[Al ears]

I would agree!

In which case no amount of amp swapping is ever going to get the best out of them.

 

[Stuart.W.D]

I’m confident these amplifiers will pair beautifully with these specific speakers, and I suggested alternative speakers that could align better with the OP personal taste. As I also, believe the speakers might not be suitable. However, the real test is hearing it in person, nothing beats a proper listening session to make the right choice. I hope the OP lands on a setup that brings many years of joy. I understand how frustrating it can be to struggle with hi‑fi gear after investing in it, and I want the OP to feel supported on this forum. Hence, my recommendations!

 

[MUSICRAFT]

I'm looking for smooth and warm sound with big soundstage, depth and well defined punchy bass

in the first instance look at alternative amplification. The discontinued and still excellent NAD C370 on the used market for not much money will give the 603 S2 AE's the appropriate tonal qualities and has the power to keep the 603 S2 AE's firmly in check.

 

[Deliriumbassist]

Try angling the speakers away from the listening position more, and experiment with moving them either further into the room, or close to the wall behind them.

Most of the time, people place their speakers between 6-24" into the room, which can be considered a 'dead zone' especially for upper bass and lower midrange, which may explain a lack of punch. Much cheaper to give placement a try when possible.

 

[Shrek]

Hi guys, I have B&W 603 S2 AE Speakers powered by CA CXA81 and it's bright and get tired after a few hours, it's placed in my L shaped big sized living room which is not ideal so i need some sort of room correction i tried to EQ it via my Mojo 2 but it couldn't fix it. Now I have short-listed Yamaha rn-800a and Rotel A14 MKII . If i buy the Rotel than i would need to a sub too to even out the bass which shouldn't be the case with Yamaha. I'm looking for smooth and warm sound with big soundstage, depth and well defined punchy bass. Which one should i go for? BTW.. if Rotel is superior than Yamaha in SQ than i have no problem purchasing a sub. Thanks

I have the B&W603 i have connected them to my PM 7000 and my Stereo 70s both sound warm and smooth !

 

[SteveH72]

I have the 606 S2 AE and I find them a tremendous speaker. I’ll briefly outline my journey with them and then add the caveats.
Firstly, I’ve paired them with all different kinds of amplifier. I’ve used them with Arcam, which tame the highs you dislike, but the overall sound was a bit, well, boring.
I’ve used them with Rega amps - 2017 Brio and Elex-R - with great success. They’re rhythmic, musical, and highly enjoyable, but if you’re finding them fatiguing, Rega won’t cure them.
As a curveball, I tried them with a vintage Musical Fidelity A1, first 7W in Class A. This is a very luxurious and musical combination which takes away the fatigue, but it’s not the last word in definition.
I contacted B & W who now recommend the Marantz 6xxx series or 8xxx amplification (obviously, as they are now stable mates), but initial demos were done with ROTEL amps, namely the A14.
I still have them. They’re now on the end of a World Audio Design KEL 84 valve amp, and it’s glorious.
They’re now on are talented speakers and, if you’re finding them get it right, will reward like no other at the price point.

However……..
This is in my room, with my music and my ears.
If you have decided these speakers aren’t doing it for you, all the box-swapping in the world isn’t going to change the essence of these speakers.
I persevered and made it work. Only you can decide your path.
Speakers, and the way they interact with your room and your ears, is the most important link in the hifi chain.

Trust your ears. Nobody else’s. And remember, you’ll know when you’ve got it right because you’ll smile, cry, tap your feet, sing along and always find time for one more album.

Good luck.

 

[Stuart.W.D]

Bowers & Wilkins speakers are celebrated for their detailed and precise sound, especially in the treble range. While this clarity is a strength, it can sometimes come across as a bit bright or forward, depending on your setup and preferences. Fortunately, the right amplifier can make a real difference in balancing those highs, creating a smoother and more enjoyable listening experience.

Amplifiers aren’t just about power they also have their own tonal personality. Some amplify the crispness of high frequencies, which might enhance the brightness of Bowers & Wilkins speakers further. Others, will lean towards a warmer or more neutral sound, which can soften the treble and bring everything into balance. The trick is finding an amplifier that complements your speakers’ natural character, a concept in the HiFi world called (synergy)

Yes, valve (tube) amplifier often adds a smooth, warm quality to the highs, which can take the edge off the precision of Bowers & Wilkins speakers. On the other hand, certain solid-state amplifiers offer a rich, full sound that keeps the treble in check without losing detail. By pairing your speakers with an amplifier that avoids exaggerating the highs, you can achieve a more balanced overall sound.

To find an amplifier that tames the highs on your Bowers & Wilkins speakers, look for Warm or Neutral options that are known for a warm or balanced tonal profile. These are less likely to boost the treble and more likely to smooth it out.

If you want to keep your Bowers speakers - Try Before You Buy... Listen to a few amplifiers with your speakers. Pay attention to the highs do they feel natural and controlled, or still a bit too sharp? Think about your setup and your room’s acoustics and your personal taste matter too. A warmer amplifier might be perfect if your space is lively or if you prefer a relaxed sound.

 

[record_spot]

There's been a trend towards ear shredding treble in speaker design for some time now by some manufacturers. Not confined to entry or even midrange level. I heard some Ophidian speakers at the Cranage show last year that were incredibly well designed, a midrange and bass that were ideal, but a treble that could've slit your eardrums in two at ten paces. They were not cheap either.

Same again this year. I didn't bother with the Ophidian room, same speaker, didn't fancy a repeat, but one or two other rooms had a speaker with a rather keen treble.

If it was my money, I'd ditch the B&Ws if their tonal characteristic isn't quite what you were after. You might change the amp, but that's a bit of a lottery. If it brings down the treble, does it also negatively impact the bass or the midrange? So many variables, too many ifs and buts.

I've just recommended them on another post, but more or less in your budget, or near to it, if it's floorstanders you want, then have a look at the Alchris Audio TX5s, which will come in at around £1700 I'm afraid, but they have a nice rounded tonal presentation that brings the music together as a neat sounding whole, rather than emphasising a particular trait of the speaker itself.

Does it have to be a floorstander though? You might have other options that would work well in the standmount category. Time to do a bit of homework!

Edit: You might also want to consider some of the Fyne Audio range, which borrows much from Tannoy's Dual Concentric drivers in some of their models. I think the 501s are around the same price, but worth shopping around to hear a pair.